Reports on malaria false: Gajbiye

Mumbai, Jul 25 (UNI) Refuting media reports stating that malaria cases have increased in the city, Additional Municipal Commissioner Kishore Gajbiye today said the projected growth of disease was false and the public need not fear.

Speaking at a press conference today, Mr Gajbiye said the exaggerated media reports on malaria cases had created fear in the minds of people.

''Incidents of malaria are not as high as projected in various sections of media,'' Mr Gajbiye said, adding that the corporation had carried out malaria tests on 53,264 people, out of which 1,935 people tested positive whereas the remaining were negative.

''The percentage of people suffering from malaria is not very high and the numbers are common in rainy season,'' he said.

Meanwhile, around 19 people have died due to malaria since the onset of monsoon this year and 76 people diagnosed with the disease have been admitted to various civic run hospitals in the city in past 24 hours.

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